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Sinks and Stains

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I don’t typically purchase a major household appliance based on its ease of cleaning. However, a kitchen sink requires daily cleaning, so I did consider its maintenance when choosing just the right one for our home.

Here’s what I discovered during my research:

Cast Iron Kitchen Sinks: These are finished with a porcelain or glass-like material and come in white, off-white and black. If you spill certain food items you will have a tough time getting the stains to lift. Likewise, if you drop heavy items in them they tend to chip, so you don’t want to invest in these types of sinks if you do a lot of dishes or want a unit that will withstand a litany of different materials that may or may not stain.

Ceramic or Fireclay Sinks: These beautifully designed sinks are not the most durable on the market, but they sure look good. They feature materials similar to those used to construct toilets and feature a glazed finish on the surface. The problem with these sinks is that they are susceptible to chips, cracks and stains, especially if you do a lot of heavy duty cooking.

Granite and Quartz Composite Sinks: These sinks are made from crushed stone which is mixed with plastic. They are among the very best when it comes to being scratch resistant and heat resistant. These types of sinks are also treated for stains, so you can dump just about any material in them without having to worry about permanent staining. However, the downside to these sinks is that they can look cheap depending on the color you select.

Stainless Steel Sinks: Stainless steel kitchen sinks are durable and attractive; however, you need to take a few precautions when cleaning them. For example, you should never use cleaners that contain chlorine to clean a stainless steel sink. Bleach can seriously damage stainless steel. Also, never use steel wool and scrub brushes on the sink’s shiny finish, as it can leave scratches and marks on the metal. Always use a soft cloth to clean stainless steel sinks. Finally, to get rid of tough stains on stainless steel try simple cleansers like dish soap and vinegar.

About Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin.
Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. She spent the next ten years as a television anchor and reporter at various stations throughout the country (from the CBS affiliate in Honolulu to the NBC affiliate in Green Bay). She has won numerous honors including an Emmy Award and multiple Edward R. Murrow awards honoring outstanding achievements in broadcast journalism. In addition, she has received awards from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for her reports on air travel and the Wisconsin Education Association Council for her stories on education. Michele has since left television to concentrate on being a mom and freelance writer.